Improvement in window-jacks



D. M. PFAUTZ.

. WINDoW-JACK.

Patented May 8,1877.

lvufuev-r/-ow ,3% Mw M@ @JP-1 *d UNITED STATES Q FFICE.

DANIEL M. PFAUTZ, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF HIS RIGHT TO LEOPOLD STERN BERGER, OF SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT IN WINDOW-JACKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 190,615, dated May 8, 1877; application filed Aprn 16, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL M. PEAUTZ, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Window-Jacks, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to construct a Window-jack which will afford a secure seat or stand for the person engaged in cleaning the windows or Window-frame, a further object being to so construct the device that it may be folded into a compact form for transportation or storage. These objects I attain in the following manner, reference being` had to the accompanying drawing, in Which- Vrear end, so as to form two arms, B B', the

under side of the platform and the arms B B' being recessed for the reception of two sliding plates, D D', carrying at their inner ends jaws E E'.

The plates D D' are held within the recess partly by one of the plates a, on the under -side of .the platform A, and' partly by the plates c, which strengthen the arms B B', the latter plates being slotted for the passage of the stems of the jaws E E'.

The plates D D' are retained in any position to which they. may be adjusted longitudinally by means of pins b, each of which passes through an opening in the platform A and plate a., and through one of a number of openings in the plates D D'.

, To each side of the platform A, near the outer end of the same, is hinged one end of a strip, F, the opposite end of which is fur! nished with a jaw, e, while at or near its center each strip F is provided with a pivoted bar, f, slotted for the passage of the stem of a thumb-screw, t, which screws into the edge of the platform A, and serves to hold the barf in any position to which it may be adjusted.

I is a bent strip, preferably of sheet metal, pivoted at its opposite ends to the sides of the platform A, and connected to said platform near the outer end of the same by jointed strips J, which can be folded together, so as to allow the strip I to lie close to the platform, or can be retained in the extended condition shoWn in Figs. l and 2 by means of bars M, having hooks adapted to the joints of the strips J.

The mode of applying this device to a Window is as follows:

The strips F are lirst adjusted to the proper angle, and secured in position by the thumbscrews i and bars f. The platform is then adjusted to the window, as shown in Fig. 1, the jaws e of the strips F bearing against the wall X below the sill Y. The jaws E E' of the plates D D' are now moved up, so as to bear closely against the inner edge of the sill, and said plates D D' then retained in position by inserting the pins b.

After the' adjustment of the strip I to the position shown in Fig. 1, the device is in con dition for use, the operator either standing upon the platform A or sitting on the same, with the legs inside the room, and in either case having both hands free to perform the desired cleaning operations, and .having a firm and rigid support, as all the strain is in the line ofthe plates D D', which are securely held by the pins b, and the jaws of which are pressed firmly against the inner edge of the sill T.

The strip I serves as a support for the back, or prevents the operator from accidentally stepping of the platform A.

When not required for use, the device is removed from the window, the thumb-screws t loosened, and the strips F and bars f folded up close to the platform A, and the hooked ends of the bars M removed from the joints of the strips J, so that the latter are at liberty to collapse, and thus permit the strip I to be depressed, so as to lie close to the platform A.

The device is then in compact and portable shape, and may be stored or transported Without difliculty.

My invention, while especially applicable for use by servants in cleaning windows, Sac., can, it will be evident, be used also by painters and others, its advantages of' portability and safety making it a valuable substitute for the ordinary painters jack.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of the platform A and its strips F, with the separate sliding plates D D and their jaws E E', as set forth.

2. The combination of the platform A, with a back, I, formed of a single bent strip of metal, pivoted at its opposite ends to the platform, as set forth.

3. The combination of the pivoted strip I, the jointed strips J, and the hooked bar M, as described.

4. The combination of the pivoted strips F, the pivoted and slotted barf, and the thumbscrew t', as specified.

In testimony WhereofI have signed my name to this specification iu the presence of two subseribing witnesses.

DANIEL M. PFAUTZ. Witnesses:

HERMANN MoEssNER, HARRY SMITH. 

